Businesses in Scotland are being urged to ditch their 'dodgy' old ladders and exchange them for a new one, in a campaign running for the next eight weeks.

Between 2001 and 2005, seven workers were killed and 1,074 were injured after falling from ladders in Scotland. Nationally, ladder falls are estimated to cost the economy £60 million every year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is promoting ladder safety messages through a 'ladder exchange' which aims to remove 4,000 'dodgy' ladders from workplaces in Scotland.

For the next two months, businesses will get the chance to get their ladders checked and where necessary, trade them in for new ones at a discounted price. HSE is working closely with Local Authorities, ladder manufacturers and retailers to address the safety issues around access equipment with employers and ladder users.

Percy Smith, HSE Principal Inspector said: "We want anyone working at height to use the right ladder for the job and to use it safely. Ladder Exchange is the opportunity for small trade businesses to assess the risks involved in ladder use and adopt sensible health and safety measures.

"There is still a lot of poor standard equipment out there and we will do everything it takes to educate people and get rid of poor quality ladders from workplaces. Simple precautions can save lives and help prevent injuries."

When it comes to increasing ladder safety, always ask yourself three simple questions:

• Do you need a ladder or should you use something different?
• Is it the right ladder?
• Are you using the ladder safely?

More information can be found on the HSE Ladder Exchange website.
www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm

HSE has received industry-wide support to tackle this issue. The Ladder Association together with companies such as HSS Hire, SGB Taskmaster, Speedy Hire and Ladderstore.com are all promoting HSE's message around ladder safety.